Disclosure: Orson Hill Realty has absolutely no involvement or vested interest in Full Send Bike Ranch being proposed in Conifer, CO. This post is to only provide information from both sides of the argument if it should be built or not. We have no pony in this race nor do have an opinion on wether or not this proposed bike ranch will impact the community in a good or bad way. In this day of cancel culture it is a shame this disclaimer even needs to be part of this post. But it does.
What is Full Send Bike Ranch?
Jefferson County Full Send Bike Ranch PDF (HERE)
The Following Information is Taken From th FSBR Site:
Since we launched this project in the fall of 2020, we’ve heard from hundreds of community members who want to learn more. Many people have reached out to offer support and encouragement, and many have reached out with questions. Below, we’ve rounded up the most common inquiries we’ve received.
If you want to chat with us directly, don’t hesitate to reach out: info@fullsendbikeranch.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Where does the FSBR project stand right now?
As of fall 2021, the FSBR team is working with necessary state, county, and municipal agencies to prepare the project for submission to Jefferson County’s Planning Commission. The public will then have another opportunity to weigh in as the project moves through the Jefferson County approval process.
How can you get involved?
We plan to launch an awareness campaign as the project gets closer to submission, which will include information about how people can get involved. If you’ve reached out to us in the past we likely have your contact information, but we’ll also be launching a mailing list soon to keep all interested parties updated as the project moves forward. Feel free to email us at info@fullsendbikeranch.com and send us your contact info in the meantime.
Where is the proposed location for the bike park?
The park will be approximately 2.2 miles west on Shadow Mountain Drive, on the South side of the road. It is a 250-acre parcel currently owned by the Colorado State Land Trust. The property is in the Conifer Area.
What kind of riders will FSBR be designed for?
FSBR intends to offer riding for all ages and abilities. Our goal is to safely provide the best downhill/freeride experience in Colorado, regardless of age or skill level. Expert riders will be encouraged to visit the park for our larger and more technical features, while beginner/family oriented riders will be welcomed into the sport through our more mellow trails and rider camps/programs. FSBR will offer something for everyone, and we can’t wait to see you all there.
Is there a residential component to this project?
No, this is a recreational development opportunity only. There would be nothing residential about the project (e.g. homes, condos, hotels, etc.)
What kind of forest fire mitigation are you planning for the property?
We are partnering with Elk Creek Fire and the State Forest Service on a formal forest fire mitigation plan that would bring the entire property to a healthy status over a period of 3-7 years. The proposed property is currently a forest fire risk to the Confier Area, we aim to reduce that risk by bringing the property into a healthy status.
Are there plans for onsite EMS personnel?
Yes, we will have onsite first-aid personnel to respond to incidents at the park. We would also have a formal emergency response plan in place with Elk Creek EMS.
Where would EMS/First Aid stations be located?
Our first-aid station would be located inside as part of the main day lodge.
What additional strain would be put on Elk Creek Fire and EMS responding to Shadow Mountain Drive accidents and injuries at the park?
The majority of injuries at the park will be handled by our on-site EMT team, with the goal of not adding strain on Elk Creek EMS. We will have a formal plan for Emergency Medical Response with Elk Creek Fire to efficiently respond if needed, and the park will be designed to minimize “hike in” incidences. The park will consolidate riders onto professionally designed and managed biking-only trails, with the goal of centralizing and expediting mountain bike related emergency response in the Conifer Area.
As far as responding to accidents on Shadow Mountain Drive, we will be conducting a formal traffic survey to assess potential needs to reduce danger on the road where possible.
What are the water/natural resources usage implications of this project?
Current projections put our water and natural resources impact below what the property is zoned for today. If water usage exceeded expectations, we are working on a water augmentation plan to backfill over-consumption.
How does the park plan to address wildlife impact?
We have opened a dialogue with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to understand migration paths in the area, which will inform our design and minimize the impact to wildlife on the property. Most of our infrastructure is being proposed on a portion of the property that is already fenced off to large game.
What are your plans to address/mitigate traffic?
We are working on a formal in-depth traffic survey to understand our impact and mitigate our strain on community roadways.
Is this a seasonal venture or a year round venture? What months do you anticipate operating? Are you permitting any other activities on the property?
The park plans to operate from April-October, weather permitting. We do not plan to permit any other activities on the property, but do envision giving the community different kinds of cost-free access to enjoy the forest (e.g. hiking, cross country skiing, etc.)
Do you have plans to minimize the viewscape impact of the park?
Yes, we are working with with the community to make sure the park compliments the landscape in every way possible. It’s possible some of our larger infrastructure would be hidden from the roadway entirely.
Where and how big would the proposed structures be? (Lodge, lift, first-aid, parking lot.)
We’re still engineering formal site plans. We are working with necessary departments, but want to get the community involved to hear concerns before finalizing plans. We expect the parcel on the south side of Shadow Mountain Dr. will be the location of all operations, and we do not expect infrastructure to expand beyond our lift, lodge, parking lot, and necessary outbuildings.
Will there be any light pollution from the park?
No. It would be a daytime operation only.
What kind of noise will this park generate? How do you plan to mitigate that?
Mountain biking is a quiet sport in nature, and our chairlift will be fully electric. It would be a daytime operation only.
What kind of retail operations are planned for the site?
The only retail operations that will be on the mountain would be operated by the mountain within the lodge: selling park-branded merchandise like T-shirts with bike parts available (e.g. tubes, tires) to keep riders on the hill. We will not have other retailers on site. This will not in any way resemble what a retail village at a ski resort looks like. Any visitors with retail interests will be encouraged to visit local businesses in Conifer.
Conifer is already a mountain bike destination. Will this exacerbate rider volume in the area?
The mountain will actually consolidate riders onto biking-only trails on the mountain, which would effectively reduce riders on the mixed-use trails and relieve congestion—making them safer for hikers and users.
As Most Development Here in The Mountains There is Opposition to the Park
Many people in the area are not as excited about the idea of a bike park in the area. There seems to be a discrepancy (according to the “Stop Full Send Bike Park” coalition visit their website)
The Following are Concerns of The Group Opposing the Bike Ranch. Info Taken of the Website
Reasons Some in the Area are Opposed to The Bike Park on Conifer Mountain
There are strong opinions on both sides of this argument. It is understandable that neighbors of the proposed park are concerned about the increase in traffic and the possible impact on wildlife in the area. There has been a group started to stop the development of this park. They are suggesting alternatives they believe are better than the current location. The thing is that no matter where someone tries to devlope these days there is always a group that is opposed to such development.
Safety Concerns:
700+ cars (going to and home from the Bike Ranch) of downhill mountain bikers driving daily on residential, windy, narrow, two-lane road with no shoulders and blind turns puts everyone at risk.
Emergency Response Challenges:
FSBR will only provide on-sight first aid, leaving Elk Creek Fire volunteers to respond to all serious accidents on the property. Elk Creek Fire will also need to respond to all traffic accidents caused by the additional use of Shadow Mountain Drive. FSBR will not provide adequate funding to assist Elk Creek Fire, which will reduce response times for all other emergencies in the surrounding area.
Wildfire Concerns:
The proposed development area is a high risk wildfire area. Adding 700+ people per day will greatly increase this risk. Shadow Mountain Drive will not be able to handle the traffic load in the event of a fire evacuation.
Air & Water
The car pollution, human waste, and water needs of adding 700+ mountain bikers daily to the area will have detrimental impacts on existing air quality and neighborhood wells, impacting the ability for existing groundwater to recharge itself.
Kids do need more things to do
As a parent, I do understand both sides of this story. I have no opinion either way and hope we represented both sides equally. If not anyone that would like to contribute to this post is welcome to do so. Just contact the author and I will amend it if we feel your input is constructive and intelligent. Either way we are excited to see how this all turns out.
Many people have asked me what they think the impact on property values would be with this project. It is really hard to determine. Many people would love to be close to such a park and many people move to the mountains to get away from people and traffic. One thing is for sure property values in Breck and Winter park (areas with such traffic and parks) are skyrocketing through the roof. So only time will tell if this will hurt or benefit property values.
Full Send Bike Ranch Conifer Colorado – The Pros and Cons
There are strong opinions on both sides of this argument. It is understandable that neighbors of the proposed park are concerned about the increase in traffic and the possible impact on wildlife in the area. There has been a group started to stop the development of this park. They are suggesting alternatives they believe are better than the current location. The thing is that no matter where someone tries to devlope these days there is always a group that is opposed to such development.
Section 1: The Proposal
The proposal would place 15-20 bikes on a segment of the creek and a total of 5 miles would be developed. It is estimated that at least 500 people per weekend could use this park. The land is currently owned by a private land trust with a lease of 60 years. They have only opened 2 previous bike parks but already have contracts for 2 more parks. The proposed new bike park would use parts of 2 existing trails and also part of the one trail that they are building now. Some of the other trails would be developed to provide access to the beginner and intermediate trails already in the park. The bike park would offer 2 trails one on each side of the creek and they are separated by a creek ravine. The new trail would allow up to 20 people at a time.
The Negative Impact
The residents and business owners in this area are very concerned about the potential of congestion and potential issues with wildlife. They worry about safety and the environmental impact to the area. You can see some of the social media posts showing the local concerns about the bike ranch here.
On the other side of the argument are those who are familiar with biking and the trails in the area. They believe the proposed location is a safe location that is close to many places of interest for people that enjoy the outdoors. These local cyclists are generally in favor of the bike park. They think that Conifer is a great place to have a bike park. This is because Conifer is close to many outdoor activities like hiking, biking, skiing, boating, snowmobiling, and more.
The Positive Impact
There is a movement that is trying to start in Colorado called Full Send. The basic idea of Full Send is a reminder to us that bikes and nature are friends. It starts with a recreational bike ride along the prairie canyons and ends with a gathering where everyone enjoys a barbeque and the company of fellow bike riders and nature lovers. If the Full Send camp in Conifer starts it can develop into something that is enjoyed by many in the area. Many people enjoy riding out and camping at least part of the time. This is a great opportunity for them to meet other like minded individuals.
Bike Ranch Conifer
And all this occurs in a relatively rural setting where horses are allowed to roam on the property.
Conclusion
With over 16,000 comments on the subject, it is clear that many people have strong feelings about this proposal. In fact, the bike map has morphed into a “Not in my Backyard” issue. Some communities are proud of their unique areas, unique natural features and historic attractions. The bike trail is just one more way to showcase that special area and make it accessible to many more people.
Disclosure: Orson Hill Realty has absolutely no involvement or vested interest in Full Send Bike Ranch being proposed in Conifer, CO. This post is to only provide information from both sides of the argument if it should be built or not. We have no pony in this race nor do have an opinion on whether or not this proposed bike ranch will impact the community in a good or bad way. In this day of cancel culture it is a shame this disclaimer even needs to be part of this post. But it does.
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